[mgwurster]

Has anyone heard their agency say that Russia might be three trips now? Awhile back they told me that it could be, just wondering if anyone has been told or is making three trips. Is it because of the additional medical reports? I thought I heard that somewhere.

Thanks

[dlhall]

When we were there a few weeks ago, we met quite a few families that were now taking 3 trips because of the 10 day wait (going home after court and coming back on trip 3 to pick up the child). A few of them said that 3 trips will probably now be required in the Moscow region, but it sounds more like a regional thing rather than the whole country.

Liz

[waitinginnj]

Some regions are requiring a trip to complete the medical - resulting in 3 trips.

[Kasey]

We are getting started for number 2 and we were told stil two trips, if the 8 doc medical is required in country it will be done at the end of the first trip.

[Alison_inPA]

I think the 3 trip scenario is happening in regions where you are required to do the Russian consular registration before you are issued a Russian passport for your child. I have only heard of this happening in Moscow, but maybe other regions are requiring it, too.

I think the consular registration takes something like a week, but you can't even start it until your 10-day wait is over, and you can't do the US Embassy formalities until you get the Russian passport. That has families waiting 3+ weeks after court, and unfortunately it makes economic sense to leave and come back rather than staying in country.

When we were in Moscow in November, we met a couple who got caught in this requirement. They stayed in country, though, at great expense, and were allowed to have custody of their baby during that time. It was great for bonding, but they were very happy when they finally got that passport and could head home.

[ddlucy]

Our agency was still 2 trips. The medicals can be handled in your first trip. I think how they handle the medicals varies by Region too.

The 10 day wait is the key. Some Regions require it and some do not. Some Regions are 10 calendar days and some 10 business days. Get the hard fact from your agency before you jump in to a Region.

I did not stay for the 10 days, but my wife did. She was with another couple and the Hotel in the Region was nice. Not a bad stay, but hey a 0 day waiting period would have been good too. I flew back for the "gotcha day".

[mgwurster]

Thanks for the info. Our region is Moscow - so looks like it will probably turn into three trips. That's a lot of airfare!!!

[SingleMama2B]

Hi MW.... You need to check with your agency for the latest INFO!!! I adopted my DD from the Moscow Region before all of the new requirements. My girlfriend it there right now to 'process' her DD (12 years old) out of the country (also the Moscow Region). OUR agency that we used automatically did the "registration" for us and did it simultaneously with the rest of the processing. My girlfriend that is there now, has not been told about any changes and is leaving on Saturday morning, so at least our agency has not made any changes.... normal 5 biz. days to process out of the country. Again.... communicate with your agency ALOT!!!! Best of luck and congrats!!!

[Chris3148]

Our agency uses three regions which they call "3 trip" regions because the 10 days are not waived. Most families make 3 trips out of it and some stay in Russia for the loooong 2nd trip, instead of coming back for trip #3 10 days later.